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Today is Cinco de Mayo! YAY! But, that is not what I am here to blog about. Oh no. There is something much more exciting going on in the gluten-free world than Mexican food & margaritas (I know, hard to believe, right?). Today is the launch of Starbuck’s Gluten-Free Valencia Orange Cake!!! I have been waiting for this day since I first heard about the cake. How freaking exciting! Can you tell I am excited? The number of places offering gluten-free food/products is growing so fast. When I first went gluten-free back in January 2006, there weren’t nearly as many options as there are out there now.

I hit up Starbuck’s at 6 AM, right after my trip to the gym. I didn’t care that I was sweaty & stinky, I just wanted my gluten-free slice of heaven and a Grande Decaf. I was impressed that they had a whole tray of samples out! I sampled a small piece right there. I immediately tasted the orange and noticed how moist the cake was. I was very impressed. Awesome flavor & texture. Truly, heaven. I bought 2, one for me, one for Jon. They only cost $1.95!! Can you believe that?? I commented on that to the guy working the counter and he said that they were in line with the rest of their baked goods. I explained that gluten-free items are usually more expensive, but don’t take that as an opportunity to raise the price on me. 😉 He said that he had never tried anything gluten-free before, but did try this cake and thought it was very good.

The cakes are 290 calories, 16 grams of fat, 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. I was shocked that it had so much protein, but then saw that whole eggs were the first ingredient. Jon ate his for breakfast and loved every minute of it. He seriously sat at the table oohing & ahhing over each & every bite. I should have videoed it!

So, if you have a chance today, head to your closest Starbuck’s and pick up your own little slice of gluten-free heaven! I see a lot more of these in my future! Good thing my Starbuck’s is right next to my gym so I can go run off the cake! LOL!

I got my hands on this yesterday and it was fabulous! I am glad you liked it too! I thought it launched yesterday and so did the Starbucks by my house, they sold out fast! Isn’t it great when the demand for gluten-free goods is high?!!?

Kim,
I also get very excited when I find something gluten-free that is out there in “regular” places. It is great to have a choice for my son and a new place to take him. I think it also makes the rest of the world take notice and become aware.
Thanks for the post, because I didn’t know about it.
Debbie

I just had this on the way to the Portland Zoo this last weekend. I don’t know that I need to be GF but I bought this to taste it. I was hungry so it was okay. But I still felt like I was eating out of a plastic bag like a ding dong would come in or any other 7-11 pastry and that took out any joy at all from the whole experience.

I should have just made some snacks for us to eat instead of having to desperately eat at Starbucks on the way (we needed a potty).

Like I said, I am not sure GF is my issue so I am not as generous with my tastings. I am still perhaps comparing things a bit too much.

But – for fast sweet food that gets the sugar rush going I give it a 10.

[…] community has been buzzing the past day or so about the news that Starbucks is discontinuing the Valencia Orange Cake, the only gluten-free food offering on their menu. They are replacing it with Kind Bars (a fruit […]